St. Agnes of Assisi

“I come, O Lord, unto Thy sanctuary to see the life and food of my soul. As I hope in Thee, O Lord, inspire me with that confidence which brings me to Thy holy mountain. Permit me, Divine Jesus, to come closer to Thee, that my whole soul may do homage to the greatness of Thy majesty; that my heart, with its tenderest affections, may acknowledge Thine infinite love; that my memory may dwell on the admirable mysteries here renewed every day, and that the sacrifice of my whole being may accompany Thine.” (St. Agnes of Assisi)

Memorial of St. Agnes of Assisi, Virgin, sister of St. Clare, 1197-1253. She was born in Assisi and joined her older sister Clare two weeks after Clare formed the Second Franciscan Order for women, following the poverty of St. Francis. Agnes was later sent by Francis to a Benedictine Convent near Florence to bring them into the Poor Clare order. She also guided other new groups in Northern Italy and was recalled to Assisi shortly before Clare died. Agnes followed Clare in death a few weeks later in 1253 and is buried near her sister along with four other early members of the order